After years of delays, Tesla has finally unveiled the redesigned second-generation Roadster. The electric supercar, first introduced back in 2017, now features a more futuristic design and, in its most extreme versions, cold-gas thruster technology developed in cooperation with SpaceX. During the demonstration, the car accelerated from 0 to 60 mph in under one second and even performed brief airborne maneuvers.
Tesla Combines an EV With SpaceX Technology
Tesla presented the Roadster at an event in Texas. Elon Musk described the car primarily as a technological showcase designed to demonstrate how far electric vehicles can be pushed. During the presentation, the Roadster used a combination of fans and thrusters to jump over other Tesla vehicles, rotate in mid-air and land in a controlled manner.
The company plans three versions. The base Performance model is intended for regular road use and is expected to offer two seats, active aerodynamics and a system that creates suction beneath the car. The Thrust version adds rear-mounted thrusters, with Tesla claiming a 0–60 mph time of under 0.9 seconds.
The most extreme Rocket version is expected to feature thrusters positioned around the entire vehicle, a single-seat layout and a claimed 0–60 mph time of less than 0.59 seconds. Tesla says this version will be available by invitation only and will not be intended for normal public-road use.
The design has also changed significantly. The Roadster now features sharper lines, concealed headlights, active aerodynamic elements and a yoke-style steering wheel with steer-by-wire technology. Tesla is also using materials including carbon fiber, titanium and magnesium.
Production Is Not Expected Until 2028
The new Roadster is a very different car from the prototype Tesla showed in 2017. Back then, the company promised a range of 620 miles, or nearly 1,000 kilometers, along with seating for four people. The latest version is expected to offer more than 300 miles of range and a maximum of two seats.
For the most powerful version, Tesla claims a top speed above 230 mph, or roughly 370 km/h.
The Roadster was originally supposed to enter production around 2020. However, Tesla repeatedly delayed the project while focusing resources on other models and, more recently, on autonomous driving and robotics.
Customers will still have to wait. Musk said production is now planned for 2028. He also acknowledged that the Roadster is unlikely to have a major impact on Tesla’s financial results.
Instead, the car is expected to serve mainly as a technological showcase and marketing symbol at a time when Tesla is increasingly focusing on artificial intelligence, robotaxis and humanoid robots.
